MEDIA NOTE: SDU asks for discharge

September 3, 2020

MEDIA NOTE: San Diego leaders are calling on the U.S. Senate to approve aid to schools locally and nationwide

The leaders of the San Diego Unified School District join congressmen representing San Diego in calling on the U.S. Senate to promptly approve the HEROES Act.

• WHAT: Press conference with the San Diego Congressional Delegation, San Diego Unified Headmasters

• WHEN: Thursday, Sept 3, 10 a.m.

• WHERE: San Diego High School, 1401 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

• SPEAKER: San Diego High Principal Franny Del Carmen-Aguilar

Board Vice President Richard Barrera

Student Committee Member Zachary Patterson

US MP Susan Davis

US MP Scott Peters

US MP Juan Vargas

Superintendent Cindy Marten

SDEA President Kisha Borden

San Diego Unified Council PTA President Mahogany Taylor

• BACKGROUND: With schools physically closed in March to halt the spread of COVID-19, San Diego Unified switched to online learning, offering students access to school meals, laptops, and WiFi enter. The pandemic has resulted in unforeseen costs for schools to stop the spread of COVID-19 and the loss of learning.

Since then, the CARES bill has given schools less than one percent of the total $ 2 trillion package; and the state budget is only holding districts harmless at the 2019-20 funding level after reversing a proposed 10% cut. Additional funding is needed to support efforts that prioritize safety and health and reduce learning losses. For these reasons, San Diego Unified and its congressional delegation are calling on the US Senate to approve the HEROES Act.

• Visuals: San Diego Unified School buses spell out SOS (Save Our Schools) at the county bus station (4710 Cardinal Lane) to send a message to the U.S. Senate

MEDIA CONTACT: Communications Director Maureen Magee (619) 381-7930

* This event is aimed at professional journalists. Please confirm your participation in advance.

###